Biz Features

Halloween Statistics Businesses Can Expect This Season

by . October 22nd, 2015

The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $6.9 billion for Halloween this year. That’s a $600 million drop from last year.

Here are a few other mind-blowing Halloween statistics.

Before we make other estimates for this year’s Halloween celebrations, let’s look at some fast facts on Halloween 2014. Not only was consumer spending at almost 8 billion thanks to costume, decor, and candy-related purchases, hundreds of millions of dollars in increased sales were generated thanks to related Halloween promos and tie-ins.

Enterprises of all sizes also took advantage of the seasonal boost through social media. SalesForce posted this infographic outlining last year’s trends in social media, as well as what people actually spent their money on.

smc-halloweensocialtrends-infographic


Spending rates are down this year, but not across the board


The recent downturn in the economy has prompted many Americans to cut back on their Halloween spending. Americans however, are still spending far more than was the case a generation ago.

Fun (and not so fun) facts from a recent Halloween survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade group. Here’s what we can expect this time around:

  • 86.1% of respondents say they will spend less overall on Halloween this year.
  • Of that number, 32.7% plan to buy less candy.
  • 18.1%  of those planning to spend less will make a costume instead of buying them.
  • 25.2%  of respondents say the state of the economy is impacting their Halloween spending. 
  • $75.03: The average amount the celebrating consumer expects to spend on décor, costumes, candy and fun; down from $79.82 in 2012
  • 43.6 percent of people plan to dress up.
  • Children’s costumes expected to amount to $1.04 billion
  • Adult costume spending is expected to reach at least $1.22 billion.
  • 13.8% of respondents plan to dress their pet.
  • Pet costume expenditure is projected at $330 million
  • $27.85: The average a person will spend to buy or make their costumes.
  • This figure is a decrease from $28.65 in 2012 .
  • $2.08 billion is expected to be spent on candy.
  • $1.96 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween decorations. 
  • $360 million: projected spending on greeting cards.

Have you started your Halloween marketing plans this year?


 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Arthur Piccio manages YouTheEntrepreneur and has managed content for major players in the online printing industry. He was previously BizSugar's contributor of the week. His work has appeared multiple times on The New York Times' You're the Boss Small Business Blog. He enjoys guitar maintenance and reading up on history and psychology in his spare time.